Flying vs. Driving

[DVC Ian]

With the four of us, its always been cheaper to drove the 1,200 miles to WDW each year.

To break the drive up we usually bring a cooler packed with lunchmeat, drinks, and snacks and stop at the vistors centers when we enter the state. We had bad experiences with panhandlers when we stopped at other places and it terrified the kids so much that they still remember it.

Does anyone else have any good suggestions on "safe" place to stop and take a break on the road from Texas?

 

[Desnik]

Sorry I can't help. But, you might want to try and also post this on the transportation board. There could be more people there that can help you.

We also drive down(from NY)and I completely understand what you are talking about. We also have 2 kids and I worry so much when at the rest stops. Luckily we never had a problem and most of them have security. I just try to make sure that we never are driving and need to stop late at night.

Good Luck!

 

[thebigtrip]

You can get a really good price on airline tickets sometimes. We just flew to Orlando from TX. It was fantastic. I know Southwest has ran really good specials to Orlando in the recent past. You may want to check into it.

 

[Gamblers]

I have done both. Drove twice and flew once. Flying is not one of my favorite things but I will fly again the next time we go. I know we never did stop at the rest stops. When we stopped to get something to eat out of the ice chest we usually stopped at McDonalds or some other eating establishment.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have gone 14 times. We flew once and drove the rest.

We live in NW Louisiana, so we drive just about the same as you only about 150 more. If you leave first thing in the AM, you should be able to drive to about Tallahassee. If you leave after school/work, you should be able to get to Mobile or Slidell fairly easily.

We don't stop other than for gas and to eat. But we have stopped at the official rest stops along the way. One near Baton Rouge isn't bad. The big one just after you cross the state line into FL is good (free OJ). We eat in the car or stop at fast food places and stop to sleep.

Don't stop in Quincy FL.

 

[HitchhikingGhost]

We have also done both, and each has distinct advantages over the other. We fly when we can get a REAL great deal on tickets, but otherwise we drive. It is nice to arrive and have our own vehicle. For stopping, we choose the Welcome Centers and exits where there is a large variety of food establishments to choose from. We have never had a problem. The map is my friend, and I can usually plan our stops at the larger exits ahead of time. Limiting the # and amount of drinks while driving (I have to go, I have to go, I HAVE TO GO!) usually helps to cut back on the number of unplanned stops.

My outlook is somewhat different from most people I know, in that while I do want to get there in a reasonable amount of time, I refuse to stress everyone out about it (stopwatch at the restroom, etc.). We get there when we get there, and with little ones you have to allow an hour for lunch and running around here and there. Let them run and play and maybe wear 'em out a bit.

I always look as the journey to and from our destination as a large part of the vacation also.

HTH.

 

[cobbler]

I live in MI and we always drive down. We usually stop at a fast food chain like mcd's, bk or somewhere like that to use the restroom and for a little stretch. Find that the bathrooms are much cleaner than at gas stations although we do stop there too. (Can't get there on our looks )

We too do like you and pack a cooler with sandwiches and other items. For us it is more cost effetive to drive than fly.

 

[Epcotgal8]

Hey Deb, we're neighbors! We live in NW LA also. We have flown out of Shreveport to Orlando twice, drove once but we have a car, not an SUV or van so we were so limited on space with 5 of us I thought I was going to just jump out of the car in Lafayette on the way home since dh is the kind that wants to get there and stop only once in a blue moon. Last trip we took advantage of a great special from Southwest Airlines out of Jackson, MI (boy I wish SWA would come to Shreveport like I've heard rumored) with a "Friends Fly Free " deal and our family of 5 and dbil flew for a little over $500 for the SIX of us. We did pay for parking at the Jackson airport and have to drive there but it was a straight, short flight and well worth it.

Originally posted by Deb & Bill
We have gone 14 times. We flew once and drove the rest.

We live in NW Louisiana, so we drive just about the same as you only about 150 more. If you leave first thing in the AM, you should be able to drive to about Tallahassee. If you leave after school/work, you should be able to get to Mobile or Slidell fairly easily.

We don't stop other than for gas and to eat. But we have stopped at the official rest stops along the way. One near Baton Rouge isn't bad. The big one just after you cross the state line into FL is good (free OJ). We eat in the car or stop at fast food places and stop to sleep.

Don't stop in Quincy FL.

 

[jme829]

My DH drives up to 1000 miles a week so the last thing he wants to do on vacation is drive another 1000 miles to WDW...plus he does fly occasionally enough to rack up enough frequent flyer miles for us to fly free (3rd trip next week flying free with 5 peoplet But honestly with gas prices how they are even if we had to pay our own airfare we would probably still fly cuz it would work out about the same cost (we don't have to pay for our rental car or hotels either...) and we get there way quicker than driving...and with 3 kids we would be stopping hourly for potty breaks if we drove so we like to just get there.